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Photo: Annette Funicello Mouseketeer

Annette Funicello 1942–2013

By on Monday, April 8, 2013

A sad day for the Walt Disney Company and fans, family, and friends of Annette Funicello. The former Mouseketeer of The famous 1950s “Mickey Mouse Club” TV show died today of complications of multiple Sclerosis — a disease Funicello had battled for more than 25 years.  The actress/singer, who was know as well for those 1960s “Beach Party” movies, reportedly passed away peacefully at a hospital in Bakersfield. She was 70. On the Disney Post blog,  fellow Mouseketeer and long-time friend Sharon Baird reminisced, “Throughout all the years... Read More →

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Daily Variety header

Hollywood trade paper Daily Variety sold

By on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The oldest of Hollywood’s trade papers, Daily Variety, has a new owner today. The 107-year-old Variety was very slow to move into the digital age. For that reason, and poor management, it has been struggling for years and bleeding a lot of red ink. In its glory days of the 1990s, when circulation and advertisement were robust, the publication took in as much as $90 million a year, according to The Wrap. Now annual revenues are reported to be in the neighborhood... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G --- Emilio "Elmo" Telles, Garden Guru at Media City Groove

Guest Blogger: Garden Guru Emilio “Elmo” Telles

By on Monday, July 11, 2011

Welcome a new guest blogger.  Emilio “Elmo” Telles, the Garden Guru.  He has a vast knowledge of gardening and a passion for growing things like plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. Elmo works at the Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale, where he frequently teaches free classes.  I’ve covered some of Elmo’s great gardening classes on this blog. Last Saturday, July 9, Elmo conducted a class on “Citrus and Tropical Fruits.”  In his first guest post, Elmo  shares some of the advice he gives about caring for citrus trees. Summer citrus care... Read More →

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"Jackass 3D" movie poster

Entertainment Bits

By on Monday, June 20, 2011

“Jackass” star killed in car accident  Actor Ryan Dunn was reportedly killed in a horrible car accident early this morning. The 34-year-old star of the  R-rated “Jackass”  movie comedy series apparently died when his Porsche crashed and exploded into flames in Pennsylvania. The Wrap has more on the  tragedy. “Dilbert” creator in hot water over blog post The  Internet is buzzing over the recent blunder by Scott Adams, the creator of the “Dilbert” comic strip.  In an attempt to explain the rash of  sex scandals by some prominent men, Adams recently published... Read More →

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male writer at a computer kepboard

Another spec script is bought in the hot Hollywood market

By on Saturday, May 14, 2011

Another spec script sale to report, the 34th this year, according to Scott Myers over on the Go Into The Story blog. Twentieth Century Fox picked up, “From Mia With Love,” a comedy about three dudes who are eager to part with their virginity. So they send-off for a Russian mail order bride, but as you can probably imagine, things do not work out the way the guys plan. The screenwriters are Seth Grahame-Smith, Bryan Shukoff, Kevin Chesley, and David Katzenberg who will direct. Katzenberg’s father is... Read More →

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stack of screenplays

ShowBiz Bits:Tom Hanks, John Wayne, and spec script sales

By on Tuesday, March 15, 2011

 Tom Hanks takes on real-life hero role  The high-seas drama of cargo ship Captain Richard Phillips and the Somali pirates is headed to the big screen. Actor Tom Hanks is reportedly on board to play Phillips, according to deadline.com Back in April of 2009, Captain Phillips traded himself as a hostage to the pirates to save his crew. Phillips was later freed in a daring rescue by U.S. Navy Seals. More on Hanks and this project on Deadline. John Wayne photo book coming soon The... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign sign for Burbank City Council Candidate Bob Frutos

City Buzz

By on Monday, February 7, 2011

The Burbank Primary Nominating Election is coming up fast. Only two weeks to that February 22 election and there’s a lot at stake for the city and its residents. Most of the attention is focused on the two seats available on the city council and the four candidates campaigning hard for them. On the ballot, City Councilman Gary Bric and three challengers: Emily Gabel-Luddy, Bob Frutos, and Jackie Waltman. Over on the popular Semichorus blog there’s been a lively discussion of the candidates, their qualifications, and who will bring real change to the city. Gabel-Luddy’s endorsements and... Read More →

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Photo: www.burbankusa.com/centennial

City Buzz

By on Monday, January 10, 2011

 Burbank’s merit pay for city employees controversy Some new developments in the growing controversy about merit pay for Burbank city employees — who gets them — how much per individual — what is the real criteria for who pockets those extra bucks — are the main questions yet to be answered fully by city officials. Late last Friday, city officials made an effort at damage control over the merit pay issue by sending an extensive e-mail to all employees on the issue. These officials are trying to put out a fire lit by... Read More →

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Clip art of person walking with umbrella in the rain

City Buzz

By on Wednesday, December 22, 2010

“Rain rain go away” When will it stop? Soon is what the weather watchers are saying about this deluge. Like most of  the Southland, Burbank is soggy from several days of heavy rain. The worst of the storms is rolling across Los Angeles County now through mid-afternoon. I was out driving in the Media City shortly before 9 a.m. this morning . The rain was moderate, but the forecast is for heavy periods of rain, scattered thunderstorms, strong winds, and even some hail before the day... Read More →

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Movie poster for "The Chronicle of Narnia: The Voyae of the Dawn Treader"

Showbiz bits: Blogger/tweeter gets TV deal, Golden Globe nominations, Box Office update, & List of hot screenplays in Hollywood

By on Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Blogger/tweeter gets TV project gig   Blogger/tweeter and mother of three, Kelly Oxford, has been writing for years — but now it’s really paying off for her. Oxford’s witty tweets and interesting blog posts, got her a deal to write a sitcom series pilot called, “Mother of All Something.” Now CBS has picked up the project for development with actress Jessica Alba and Jhoni Marchinko, a former-writer for the TV series, “Will & Grace” attached. The CBS comedy, “$#*! My Dad Says,” is based on a Twitter feed. The Network... Read More →

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local election graphic 2011 says Your vote Your Community

City Buzz

By on Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A chance to make a change in Burbank Burbank city officials are out to appease voters now that the Primary Nomination Election is coming up soon.  Last week, the Burbank City Council gave final approval to that election set for February 22, 2011 and the General Muncipal Election on April 12, 2011. There is a countdown running on this blog, in the far right column, that gives the exact number of  days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the Burbank Primary Nomination Election. Yes, I think it’s that important. Burbank city insiders... Read More →

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A Burbank parent shares her experience with the system

By on Monday, August 23, 2010

The new school year is only about a week old , but it already has been an ordeal for some Burbank middle school students and their parents. As I first reported on this blog about a week ago, A Burbank city funded, long-running,  and very successful after school program was axed at David Starr Jordan Middle School, leaving some parents scrambling to find a safe alternative for their children. One parent, I’m keeping her name confidential,  alerted me to the situation in an e-mail and has continued to give me her impressions... Read More →

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City Buzz

By on Sunday, August 22, 2010

A full house at the public forum After all the hoopla, debates, agenda re-writes, and months of delays, the first public forum held by the Burbank Police Commission in recent memory went off with only a few minor glitches. First, additional chairs had to be brought out to accommodate the crowd that showed up last Wednesday night, August 18, in the Community Room of the Community Services Building on Third Street, across from the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters. More than 100 people were packed into the Community Room. A large number... Read More →

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Entertainment: Jamie Foxx, Lady Gaga & Billy Idol

By on Thursday, August 12, 2010

Jamie Foxx’s new production deal Actor Jamie Foxx has hooked-up a new production deal with Writer/Producer/Director, Deon Taylor. No Brainer Films reportedly will be scouting for films and TV projects under $10 million. Details over on Deadline.com Lady Gaga & her fans invade Staples Center Pop sensation, Lady Gaga, wraps up a two-concert gig at Staples Center tonight. Some of the fans at last night’s concert showed up in Gaga-inspired outfits. More photos and a review of Gaga’s Monster Ball show on the Los Angeles Times website. Billy Idol still rocking A... Read More →

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City Buzz

By on Sunday, August 1, 2010

Burbank & the Bell salary flap Here ‘s a sad, but true tale of two Southland cities where the pay of  selected officials/employees has been jacked up to ridiculous levels.  The Los Angeles Times outed the  small community of Bell recently for paying exorbitant salaries to a handful of its city officials. Nearly $800,000 to the Bell City Manager, $457,000 to the Police Chief, and $376, 288 to the Assistant City Manager. Oh, and most of the Bell City Council members were banking a $100,000 a year. The Times’ investigation produced a series of stories and columns, sparking outrage among Bell citizens.  That outrage... Read More →

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Celebrity Chef Rachael Ray blogs on White House program

By on Monday, June 14, 2010

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House  — Hundreds of chefs from around the country gathered on the south lawn of the White House for a “Let’s Move” event on June 4, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program has expanded to include hundreds of chefs from communities all across the nation. Chefs from 37 states assembled at the White House on Friday, June 4, 2010 to support “Chefs Move to Schools” phase of the first lady’s program. “Let’s Move” is aimed at fighting childhood obesity. The chefs will... Read More →

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City Buzz

By on Saturday, May 22, 2010

Debate heats up in the 43rd State Assembly race Glendale Businessman, Chahe Keuroghelian, remains a controversial force in the 43rd State Assembly race, even though, he shutdown his campaign almost a week ago. The Burbank Democratic Club (I ‘m a member) threw its 5th annual  picnic at McCambridge Park in Burbank today. When I got there around 1 p.m., the event was in full swing with food, people, speeches, and candidates working the crowd. Elected officials included State Senator Carol Liu, Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke, Burbank Councilman Dr. David Gordon, and... Read More →

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City Buzz

By on Thursday, May 6, 2010

Burbank City Councilman David Gordon responds to his critics Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — At the November 3, 2009 city council meeting, Councilman David Gordon called for a major step in dealing with the growing Burbank police scandal Burbank is still buzzing about the snub of two-term Councilman David Gordon by his colleagues on the council. On Monday, Dr. Gordon was passed over again for mayor and vice-mayor. The positions are rotated every year among the council members, but apparently a decision has been made to leave one member... Read More →

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Burbank City Buzz

By on Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters A death in the Burbank city jail More strange events in Burbank. First, over the weekend, an inmate reportedly was found hanging in his jail cell. It was reported on Jim Carlile’s blog and then on The Burbank Leader website that 60-year-old John Alfred Flores’ body was discovered on Easter. Flores, a domestic violence suspect, was jailed after an incident Sunday morning. Early reports are calling it a suicide. The Los Angeles Coroner will release the official cause of death after... Read More →

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Controversial suspect chase/shooting involving Burbank cops

By on Thursday, April 1, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police patrol car A new controversy is causing more debate and concerns about the Burbank Police Department. This time, the questions are being asked about the actions of Burbank police officers involved in that dramatic pursuit/suspect shooting last Monday, March 29, that ended near Universal City. Television news video of that incident has focused nationwide attention and more scrutiny on the troubled BPD already reeling from lawsuits and investigations brought on by charges of discrimination, civil rights violations, and excessive-force allegations. Also, the department is struggling to recover from the... Read More →

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Burbank City Buzz

By on Monday, March 29, 2010

  Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank    Judgment in the Burbank PD For several days, I’ve been hearing about some ominous letters handed out to some members of the Burbank PD, the result of information gathered during those hush-hush investigations for alleged misconduct in the department. A source tells me that those who have received letters include Sergeant Chris Canales, Officer Nick Nichols, Detective Mike Reyes, Officer Elfuego Rodriguez, Lieutenant Omar Rodriguez, and Officer Tommy Perez. Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters Apparently... Read More →

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